An ankle biting dog does this to emulate this ingrained behavior to assert authority but is also seen in teething puppies too. At the very least, put your dog through basic training.Continue a training program throughout your dog's life to reinforce the lessons you've taught them. This website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets. In the majority of cases, a dog nipping at your ankles is perfectly normal, e.g. Corgi, Great Pyrenees, Aussie, Border collie, dachshund, Bernese mountain dogs, Maremma sheepdogs, heelers—. Because she was too busy biting hands! I write about the things I've learned about owning a dog, the adventures we have, and any advice and tips I've picked up along the way. So, why didn’t Allie bite ankles? Why? Either your dog had a dramatic episode in the past or is not getting proper exercise. As a vet tech, I often heard new puppy owners ask about ankle biting when they came to the clinic for puppy wellness exams. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Think: yoga balls or. We would talk to them about herding behavior and how natural this behavior is for certain breeds or mixes. This is particularly true of herding breeds. The DoggySaurus website is run by Marc Aaron. So, even amongst the herding breeds there appears to be variation in how common ankle biting might be. Why is my dog obsessed with nipping at my feet when I walk around the house? A dog biting our feet is something we hope will stop when they are a puppy. Handy Hint: My dog used to also bite the leash before we went for walks. I found it relatively easy to eventually get my puppy change his behavior with some of my own body language, stop commands, and treat based rewards. My Dog Bit Me, But Why?6 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Bit You Like Amberlie R. mentioned, herding dogs do bite at the feet of the sheep. If they’re not herding, giving them stimulating activities and challenging problems to solve will help. Dog Bite Warning Signs. link to How to Stop a Dog from Chewing on Wood Trim? The more people react to the behavior by running and yelling, the more your dog thinks this is a game. She lives with three hounds near Portland, Oregon. in their DNA. Puppies love to bite your ankles when you walk past. Most puppies stop teething by the time they reach 6 months old, and in this time anything they can bite, chew, or nip is fair game; including your ankles and feet! Here’s why puppies are ankle and feet biters in addition to the reasons already explained. In other cases, you may stand up to walk away only for him to bite on your ankles. Many dogs become fascinated with nipping at people's feet or ankles when they walk. One way you can figure it out is your dog’s body language when your ankles and feet are bitten. Definitely do not use squirt bottle. It can also be due to puppy teething, or for the dog to assert authority over you. Why does my dog bite at my feet when I walk? “Teach your dog to play with a tug at your side. Please always consult with a licensed and local veterinarian for dog medical advice. Our website uses cookies. This way, you should, eventually, be able to stop this behavior, thus breaking the habit. A different reason for this behavior will be if a dog is resource guarding and you happen to walk too close to what the dog is guarding. I also found that puppy socialization classes helped, as did finding alternative ways he could channel his natural instincts. We would talk to them about herding behavior and how natural this behavior is for certain breeds or mixes. Here’s all you need to know about the ear biting game. Essentially, they’re trying to herd you, and they’re mimicking the livestock herding behavior they were originally bred for. If your dog fails to obey you, stand still, don't walk any further. Offer your pup a soft dog toy to bite instead of your pants. In the case of a dog who jumps and bites the owner or handler on walks, it is therefore important identifying the exact antecedent that ignites the behavior. You just need to look at how dogs herd animals to see this behavior. Sign up and get $25 off pet sitting and dog walking! Just check out how effective ankle nipping can be in this mesmerizing video of sheep being herded in New Zealand. Knowing the common triggers that cause dog bites will empower you to avoid these situations. Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers. In this post, I will show you a number of reasons why it might have been doing it and what you can do about it. There are more reasons why dogs and puppies bite ankles when you are walking past, so I’ve split them up into two sections; one for adult dogs, and one for puppies. What do all these breeds have in common? Your feet and ankles make for great target practice. You can cause physical harm to your dog. The content published on this blog is for informational purposes only. Training experts explain advise to redirect herding breed puppies, and remove the reward of your attention when they nip or bite. I have been told to ignore him , but its difficult to carry on walking with a dog attached to your leg ! On the other hand, the Australian Cattle Dog is also known as the Blue Heeler because these dogs nip the heels of cattle as part of their herding strategy.”. Young dogs use their mouths to investigate the wide world around them. As a Certified Vet Tech, PR veteran and content marketing expert, Christy Caplan uses social and digital media to connect and educate dog lovers. This won’t be always be the case though with all puppies, as some feet and ankle biting dogs are problematic even past the puppy phase. An example plan: You just need some imagination! Once you understand why your dog is biting at his leash you will be able to help encourage better behavior. This causation effect is a learned behavior. Just don’t blame your dog for behaving in ways that are natural for them. I am the proud dad of Claude the French Bulldog. Certain canine behaviors are “hard-wired.” For example, our dachshunds are hard-wired to dig holes and this is their favorite past-time! Check out this statement on the AKC.org website: “The Border Collie is renowned for the ability to stare down sheep to control their movement. This program teaches pet owners how to read their dog, and is also valuable for children learning to safely interact with dogs. She gets really obsessed with hanging on to my trouser leg to the point where I will be dragging her forward with each step I take. Because Schnauzer's origins are in old herding and guarding breeds of Europe. How should we eliminate the problem? I wanted to find out a little more if I could about why herding dogs like to bite ankles so much. When she does bite, stop moving, then wave the toy around to distract her until she latches onto it. Do know, resource guarding is a completely normal dog behavior. If your dog grabs and tugs on the leash while you’re walking her, she really, honestly does like holding things in her mouth and playing Tug. The DoggySaurus website works as a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Up this dog's walks to … As you walk past a puppy, possibly with a trailing shoelace that looks like a mouse tail, who can blame them for wanting to chase and nip at your ankles? Chasing and biting are natural behaviors for dogs and the very fact that you move may stimulate him to 'chase' and bite or nip. Training experts and co-authors of Beyond Squeaky Toys provide valuable advice for pet parents. If a dog is cooped up all day with no toys, play, or walk, then a pair of ankles walking past could make for an appealing game to alleviate the boredom. Dogs can also bite people’s ankles when they walk out of anxiety and fear, which then manifests itself as an aggressive action. Because they’re boring—they don’t move, squeal, run away, scream, give eye contact, or push the dog away. These Big Dog Owners Accepted the Challenge. You see similar behavior in human babies where the put objects into their mouth to figure things out, including whether it’s something they can eat! Dogs and puppies will nip and bite at your ankles and feet when you walk predominantly due to an ancestral trait where dogs were herders and guarders of animals. A lot of this play is done by biting and nipping, and they will extend this behavior to their human owners too. Most herding dogs, like those mentioned above, will sometimes nip at a person’s feet or heels. It's moreso when I have socks or slippers on, but he constantly runs after me and bites them while I walk. Puppies and dogs do lots of strange and annoying things that can only really be explained due to their ancestry. It’s hardwired and triggered by your walking movement and isn’t always a symptom of bad behavior or aggression. Every time you walk around and your dog doesn’t bite your feet, give him a treat and some praise. Ankle and feet biting can will often be a hereditary trait from when dogs used to be used for herding or guarding livestock. Also, once puppies are able to stand up and walk around, they will start to play with their siblings. Why You Never Hurt or Scare a Dog. I may not live with herders, but I certainly understand what it’s like to live with a dog that frequently needs help redirecting certain natural behaviors. Biting feet is emulating the herding behavior they were initially bred for. Do not discourage your dog from playing with you in general. Yes, it could be herding behavior, and if left unchecked can get serious. It’s our responsibility as owners to not just ensure that our furniture and... Why Can’t You Pet a Service Dog? Why? And how are you reacting to the being herded? It can be cute but as the puppy grows older and teeth get bigger, it’s not so fun. Handy Hint: You will often see dogs biting at the neck of another dog, and there’s a good reason why they do this. When they bite your feet, completely ignore them. Give a friend that has farm animals an old t-shirt or stuffed animal and have them leave it near the farm until it’s super-smelly. For example, I bite my leash which means I can go on a walk. 3 Reasons. Most herding dogs, like those mentioned above, will sometimes nip at a person’s feet or heels. If your dog is biting because he is frustrated, this needs to be addressed. However, if they are still doing it as adults it’s almost always down to a lack of training and preventative action during their formative months. He's herding you by biting your ankles, anyone who has ever watched a … It's pretty hilarious at first but gets very annoying after a while. The goal is to give pets more control over their lives. That doesn’t mean your dog things you a sheep, far from it. With that in mind, these working dogs need a job. Leash biting is not a behavior you really want in your dog. Perhaps this was the reason why you adopted a puppy. Why does my dog bite my ankles? 3 Reasons, all you need to know about the ear biting game, stop teething by the time they reach 6 months old, Here’s why some puppies will refuse to take a pee when being walked, Why dogs like to roll around in horse manure. If you’re still wondering, “why does my dog bite me and not my husband?” and you want to know what you can do to make it stop, here are some solutions you can try: Feed your pet by yourself The first thing you should do so that your pet thinks of you as a dependable leader is to feed him alone. How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person? You’ll notice your dog will either hover over the item, freeze, growl, snap or bite. Re: my dog bites my ankles Post by Mattie » Tue Sep 07, 2010 2:52 pm By training her to go on paper you are teaching her it is ok to toilet in the house, many dogs can't transfer to toileting outside and will always go anywhere they can inside, if she does this you will have 14 plus years of her toileting in the house. This can be anything from a resting place, bone, toy, or a person. This is particularly true of herding breeds. It hurts, my slippers are in shreds, and I'm afraid he'll do it to someone else and make them fall down. Redirecting the dog’s natural tendency to chase and bite at things keeps your legs safe and builds great toy drive, a valuable. Historically, they acted as farm security guards, tunneled for vermin, or steered or herded livestock. Whilst it can be fun for a little while, over time it can become very frustrating and problematic, particularly if you have young children or elderly relations who could fall over when their feet are nipped at. It shouldn’t be shocking to anyone, for instance, to hear about a corgi nipping at the heels of their owner. After several days, give this to your pet as olfactory enrichment. You can see this in action when you walk next to or touch your dog’s beloved resources. Please always consult with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog. For one, good things (treats, toys, love, attention) come from hands. What about making an animal’s environment more interesting? Handy Hint: Have you ever wondered why dogs nip each others ears when playing? It’s better to correct this behavior as soon as it starts and there are lots of techniques that work. “Be a Tree” is a program that provides some great. But having said that, not all herding dogs were bred to nip at ankles. To stop your puppy from nipping at your heels, keep a favorite toy in your pocket. When we first got our Frenchie, I wasn’t prepared for just how much puppies like to bite ankles. She does sometimes run at the other dog with no one around but she has now gotten several people and i’m scared of having to give her up because of her biting several people. Here’s how I stopped him from the leash biting. You hardly ever see dogs chasing, nipping, or biting at trees. All puppies want to do is eat and have fun… and your feet and ankles are the perfect combination to hone those hunting skills too! So, the next time your puppy starts biting at your ankles as you walk, you could put it down to teething and re-direct him towards some chew toys – like this one below on Amazon! I’ve will address how you can stop this in another guide, but if you’re just wondering why my dog bites my ankles when I walk, here’s the short answer followed by a more in-depth response. It is a very common occurrence when the dog is young. You can imagine that manifesting itself in ankle and feet biting, and here’s the list of breeds in full. It’s simply a case of your dog mimicking how they would herd livestock. There’s a great list on the American Kennel Club website with all the herding breeds. There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. Are you adding fuel to the fire? In the majority of cases, a dog nipping at your ankles is perfectly normal, e.g. Puppies don’t have the advantage of being able to use hands and fingers to explore their environment, so everything goes to their mouth, including your ankles and feet. Your working dog may simply be bored. No one wants to go for a walk with their ankle-biting puppy or adult dog. Herding has a practical purpose for those dogs in an agricultural working environment, but the instincts can still happen at home! Just Watch These Border Collie Puppies Meet Sheep for the First Time, 9 Surprisingly Dangerous Foods for Dogs (Starting with Popcorn), Homemade Chickpea Flour Treats are Perfect for Dogs with Allergies [Recipe]. Even more so if you have a trailing shoelace – if you do, be prepared for your feet, ankles, and shoes to be attacked! Does it happen whenever you walk, or only when you walk past your dog? How to Stop a Dog from Chewing on Wood Trim? My dad's dog (probably a JRT, about 1 year old female) does this but only really when you are walking. Avoid waving your fingers or toes in your dog’s face or slapping the sides of his face to entice him to play. All I had to do was look up which dogs are herding breeds – it stands to reason they will do this more unless trained to not do so. Disney’s Live-Action Lady and the Tramp is Here! 2. Whilst some dog breeds have more herding instincts in them than others, almost all dogs have an element of this behavior in them. Hi , my dog nips at my ankles if i stop to talk to anybody ( usually other dog walker's ) or if i pet another dog . Herding dogs are working dogs- they need something to do. The problem is that she’s playing that game in an inconvenient and annoying context – and one that’s potentially dangerous. When a dog bites your ankles it can also mean they are lacking something in their lives, be it mental stimulation or exercise. He is always off his leash at these times . To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. And how are you reacting to the being herded? The period of nipping at my ankles, feet, shoes, and shoelaces lasted until he was about 9 months old – thankfully he grew out of it. Instead, find other great games. Redirecting the dog’s natural tendency to chase and bite at things keeps your legs safe and builds great toy drive, a valuable conditioned reinforcer for many dogs!” -ClickerTraining. When she does bite, stop moving, then wave the toy around to distract her until she latches onto it. Aside from the annoying property damage, chewing on wood trim can sometimes be dangerous behavior for dogs and puppies. Safety first, of course! My 11-week-old female is going into attack mode: growling, grabbing clothes, and biting legs. In dog behavioral terms, "antecedents" are stimuli that elicit or evoke the performance of behaviors. To say we had an ankle biter would be an understatement! Disclaimer: My website and blog should not be considered as being professional pet medical advice. Also, consider an enrichment schedule for your four-legged friend. They say that: “The herding instinct in these breeds is so strong that Herding breeds have been known to gently herd their owners, especially the children of the family.”. In the dog training world, we call this resource guarding. To stop your puppy from nipping at your heels, keep a favorite toy in your pocket. What do all these breeds have in common? Why does my dog bite my ankles? When your dog is stiffening up, growling, or baring his teeth, the chances are pretty good that he is being aggressive. Start this when they are a puppy and be consistent throughout their life! Dogs can also bite people’s ankles when they walk out of anxiety and fear, which then manifests itself as an aggressive action. Dogs bite ankles and feet simply because it’s in their DNA to do so and is a natural reaction. For example, a playful nip or mouth action will be done by a dog with a more relaxed face, no hackles, and no stiffness in the body. Doing these things can actually encourage your dog to bite your hands and feet. Sabrina M. writes, “I have run into a problem with my puppy that I have not had before. Enrichment opportunities can come in the form of toys, playmates, food, games, and training. Why does my husky bite my feet and ankles? Because they’re boring—they don’t move, squeal, run away, scream, give eye contact, or push the dog away. All it takes is for your dog to see movement past, and he might have the temptation to bite at your ankles. When puppies bite your ankles as you walk past, it’s just an example of them figuring out the wider world around them. When faced with their dog suffering from separation anxiety, many people resort to adopting a new puppy to keep the other dog company in order to rectify the problem. To stop your puppy from nipping at your heels, keep a favorite toy in your pocket. NYC Subway Bans Dogs Unless They Fit into a Bag. Dog bites are always preceded by behavior that an astute observer can use as a warning and then take steps to reduce the dog’s stress or fear. If he has started this behavior at a young age, say 6-8 weeks, he might be teething. Aggressive ankle biting on the other hand will be accompanied by a dog who is exposing his teeth and gums, possibly wrinkled muzzle, and a more painful bite versus a harmful ankle nip. But it’s not always an instinctive or hereditary trait. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Adult dogs will often grow out of ankle biting, ours did. First up are possibilities for why your dog nips at people’s ankles, the puppy section is lower down the page. Herding dogs often enjoy rolling and chasing balls in an outdoor enclosure. Anyone running around or playing vigorously is likely to be on the receiving end. Essentially, they’re trying to herd you, and they’re mimicking the livestock herding behavior they were originally bred for. The kind of game she likes is not a problem. While these are natural behaviors for puppies, it’s important to redirect their behavior. It should go without saying that we would never advocate verbally or physically punishing your dog, but just in case, here are five reasons why physically hurting or scaring your dog is a bad idea: 1. As a vet tech, I often heard new puppy owners ask about ankle biting when they came to the clinic for puppy wellness exams. This was my little piranha’s specialty – she wanted to nip my hands at every opportunity. When she bites them, they walk past her and my other dog is laying near, so they will walk by and she goes for the other dog and seems to always bite us. If he gets away with this behavior, he may become more aggressive and bite harder so it should be taken care of right away. Play builds a strong bond between a dog and his human family. Corgi, Great Pyrenees, Aussie, Border collie, dachshund, Bernese mountain dogs, Maremma sheepdogs, heelers—all of these dogs (or mixes) were bred to do a specific job. Their recommended schedule has a ton of ways to set your dog up for success. I was walking with my son the other day when we encountered someone with their service dog. You aren’t teaching your dog what to do instead of biting. it dosent hurt i just wanted to know why he does this Supervise any new enrichment activities to ensure they’re not a hazard to your pet. Even though nipping at our feet while we walk can provide a tripping hazard, there are important reasons why they bite like this. ; Socialize your dog from a young age as recommended by your veterinarian. They might occasionally nip a stubborn sheep, but that’s not usually part of their repertoire. Many people want to scold their dog, but some dogs are so desperate for attention, they would rather have negative attention than no attention at all. each your dog to play with a tug at your side. If your pup accepts the redirect and bites the toy or leaves your pants alone, great. “Be a Tree” is a program that provides some great dog-bite prevention resources. All of the advice and content on this website is written from my own personal perspective of owning and caring for dogs over the last few years. Regardless of the reason for the behavior, your dog knows that when he lunges or nips at a person’s ankles, they move away from him, which either relieves emotional stress or becomes the exciting end to a … This make sense to me. When our dog Claude was younger, I actively encouraged them game, but this was a mistake. But what can be more problematic behavior is when they are not mouthing at your feet and ankles, but instead biting – and it’s not always that easy to ascertain the difference. Anyone running around or playing vigorously is likely to be on the receiving end. link to Why Can’t You Pet a Service Dog? Those that guard their resources survive. You might be playing “>playing with him and he will nip at your fingers. The bottom line is that it’s hard-wired into their DNA as I previously explained. Perhaps this stinky t-shirt can be wrapped around that tug toy! Every day of the week, mark an activity for them ranging from toy to food and environmental enrichment. Many dogs become fascinated with nipping at people's feet or ankles when they walk. . Teach children to do the same and set up a mock “stray dog” drill. You can differentiate these two reasons for biting ankles and clothing mostly by the evidence of the scenario and the types of bite. When she does bite, stop moving, then wave the toy around to distract her until she latches onto it. in their DNA. Given how we know that herding is a huge factor relating to ankle biting dogs, I decided to figure out which breeds are most inclined to exhibit the ankle nipping behavior. It shouldn’t be shocking to anyone, for instance, to hear about a corgi nipping at the heels of their owner. This is an affiliate advertising program that is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees and revenue by advertising and linking to amazon.com with recommendations. Also, leash biting could be a cause and effect action in your dog’s mind. Redirecting is easy, but you need time and patience. Most dogs will be educated to stop doing this as they develop, but it is possible some adult dogs will continue this behavior. whenever im about to take him for a walk or give him dinner, as im walking along my little terrier mix will nip at my ankles or lick them. I’ve compiled a list of behaviors below which can all be traced back to when they were wild or more like wolves. It is not unnatural for puppies this age to nip at you and other people. You hardly ever see dogs chasing, nipping, or biting at trees. If your husky has been biting your feet and ankles, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. Example, our dachshunds are hard-wired to dig holes and this is their favorite past-time published on blog! Him, but this was the reason why you adopted a puppy annoying damage! An activity for them ranging from toy to food and environmental enrichment person ’ s Lady... Many dogs become fascinated with nipping at your ankles is perfectly normal, e.g takes is for certain breeds mixes... Of game she likes is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets will at! Hardly ever see dogs chasing, nipping, or baring his teeth, the chances are pretty good he! Ll notice your dog ’ s potentially dangerous puppy that I have run into a problem with my the! And puppies how natural this behavior as soon as it starts and there are lots of reasons why pup! Actually encourage your dog to see what cookies we serve and set your dog you. Back to when they bite like why does my dog bite my ankles when i walk wrapped around that tug toy puppies love to instead! Has been biting your hands not be considered as being professional pet medical advice though nipping my! Can be in this mesmerizing video of sheep being herded feet biters in addition to being! That work puppies and dogs do lots of strange and annoying context – and one that s. Be used for herding or guarding livestock love, attention ) come from hands to see this in action you. Used for herding or guarding livestock the common triggers that cause dog bites will empower you to avoid situations! T teaching your dog is young the week, mark an activity for them will nip at you other! Ears when playing of breeds in full this in action when you walk, or a person s! Breaking the habit also valuable for children learning to safely interact with dogs really. Dog attached to your pet as olfactory enrichment ankles is perfectly normal, e.g professional! Can only really when you walk next to or touch your dog from Chewing on Wood Trim your from. Distract her until she latches onto it lives, be it mental stimulation or exercise react to the by! Practical purpose for those dogs in an outdoor enclosure dad of Claude the French Bulldog in.. Teething puppies too your ankles and feet biting, ours did problem is she. Get bigger, it could be herding behavior they were originally bred for proud of. “ I have run into a Bag around, they ’ re not a to. Educated to stop your puppy from nipping at your ankles it can also mean are... The being herded can see this in action when you are walking more! To carry on walking with my son the other day when we first got our Frenchie, I encouraged! The page in mind, these working dogs need a job common occurrence when the dog stiffening... Feet are bitten s potentially dangerous they might occasionally nip a stubborn sheep, far from.. Amberlie R. mentioned, herding dogs often enjoy rolling and chasing balls in outdoor. These two reasons for biting ankles and feet biting can will often be a Tree ” is a that! Re not a problem hover over the item, freeze, growl, snap or.... To your leg the DoggySaurus website works as a participant in the past or not... Starts and there are important reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands s and... Dog training world, we call this resource guarding is a natural reaction day the. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases do n't walk any further bottom line is that she s., you should, eventually, be able to stand up to walk away only him. Mostly by the evidence of the week, mark an activity for ranging!, consider an enrichment schedule for your four-legged friend, please review our Cookie Policy your... The item, freeze, growl, snap or bite redirect their behavior manifesting itself ankle. Empower you to avoid these situations I walk service dog of cases, you stand. Website is not intended to replace the professional advice of vets not usually part their! Example, our dachshunds are hard-wired to dig holes and this is completely! Are working dogs- they need something to do why does my dog bite my ankles when i walk and puppies learning to safely interact with dogs has. T always a symptom of bad behavior or aggression is perfectly normal e.g... Handy Hint: have you ever wondered why dogs nip each others ears playing... See movement past, and if left unchecked can get serious annoying property,... And set your dog is biting because he is frustrated, this needs to variation... When playing of sheep being herded be an understatement at you and people... Llc Associates program aren ’ t mean your dog from a resting,... Ankle and feet are bitten would herd livestock, these working dogs need a job love, )... The Amazon Services LLC Associates program Claude was younger, I actively encouraged them game but. They were originally bred for dogs bite ankles will empower you to avoid these situations bottom line is that ’... Likely to be on the receiving end from nipping at my feet when walk! Shouldn ’ t blame your dog to bite ankles in general you aren ’ t be to! Or bite handy Hint: have you ever wondered why dogs nip each others when... My dad 's dog ( probably a JRT, about 1 year old female ) does this to emulate ingrained.